Third trimester - woke up choking on saliva

[PockerMaus]

Hi all

Bit of an odd one... I'm 32 weeks plus 4.

Last night, in the middle of my sleep I woke up mid choke/cough. I was choking on saliva in the back of my throat and was coughing to clear it. I think I woke up on my back, I must have rolled over whilst I was asleep.

Just wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar? It freaked me out a bit so I was too scared to go back to sleep! I did call triage and spoke to a midwife who seemed completely unbothered and just said I must have got myself in a position that caused a bit of obstruction but nothing to worry about....

It happens to me and I’m not pregnant and it’s exactly what she said it was. You rolled on your back, and your saliva pooled on the back of your throat, triggering your gag reflex. Nothing to freak out about, perhaps wedge a cushion behind your back so you can’t roll onto it.

Thank you for replying so quickly. I made the mistake of googling it and diagnosed myself with sleep apnea after 5 minutes 🫣

Easily done! I wouldn’t worry, but if you’re concerned speak to midwife at your next check up (I wouldn’t be rushing to triage or anything)💕

I get that and I’m not pregnant. Sleep a bit propped up if you can

It is probably a bit of reflux BUT do have a chat with your Mid. I did this later in pregnancies and it can be a very slight precursor to Pre-Eclampsia. Something to do with swelling and poor reflexes?
All the best, keep up up to date x

Thank you! Yes I will bring it up with my midwife at my next appointment ☺️

Used to happen me towards the end of pregnancy and it was definitely some acid reflux. Got prescribed omeprazole and it rarely happened after that.

As a FTM and waking up choking and not really able to breathe, I think that's okay, especially as it's something that has never happened to me..... Pregnancy does a lot of strange things to the body, some are nothing yet some could be damaging to mum and/or baby. I think this comment is super unhelpful and unsupportive to people like me who are just trying to navigate this experience the best we can 👍🏼

Interesting, if it happens again at least I know there's ways of treating it.

Me and my friend were saying the other day that we keep choking on our saliva. Neither of us are pregnant, we just thought we were getting old (both 41/42). I actually shared a reel from Instagram with her, as apparently it's quite common to do sometimes.

Ah interesting!! It's never happened to me before and I'm 30. I guess being pregnant (and naturally quite healthy conscious) makes me feel super cautious about anything new happening with my body. It's all fun and games ☺️

Yeah if that's what it is, it's to do with your stomach being so compressed as baby grows. It doesn't empty as well as pre pregnancy and the stomach acid can get pushed back up your oesophagus. Then there's the fact that the oesophageal sphincter relaxes in pregnancy so doesn't keep the stomach contents contained as effectively. Sorry this all sounds a bit gross😅

I didn’t have this exact issue but I was very dribbly overnight when pregnant, use to wake up with a very damp pillow 🤢 I googled it and excess saliva production is yet another wonderful pregnancy symptom.

I think you are advised to avoid sleeping on your back during the third trimester anyway?

Yes! I always go to sleep on my side, I think that also freaked me out as I woke up on my back and I know it can compress a major blood vessel/affect blood flow to the baby etc. so that didn't help the worry 🫣

Oo I haven't had any dribble as such, funny how everyone is affected differently 😂

You do actually produce more saliva when pregnant ! Another one of the oh so lovely effects of pregnancy lol

Oh bog off, this is a first time Mum.